The seed for New Pluralists was planted in 2020 during a year-long exploration between Einhorn Collaborative, Fetzer Institute, Hewlett Foundation and Stand Together Trust (then the Charles Koch Institute). These funders recognized that they, and others in philanthropy, were individually supporting work to bridge and heal divides in American society, and wondered if there was something more powerful they could do together.
New Pluralists formally launched as a pooled fund and collaborative project in April 2021, with 10 peer funders and 40 field leaders (our founding Field Builders). Together, these groups set out to learn together and strengthen a culture of pluralism in America.
During Phase 1 (2021–2024), New Pluralists:
- Raised and invested:
- $11M in locally led solutions
- $17M in ecosystem-wide learning, research and collaboration
- $5M in targeted strategies, including measurement tools and narrative change
- Connected leading researchers, practitioners, and funders
- Raised the profile of pluralism as a core strategy for philanthropy
- Modeled courageous conversations across difference